Dakota Gardener: Move over pumpkins, give gourds the spotlight

It's October and the spooky season is upon us. Yards are decorated, kids are figuring out their costumes and it's all things pumpkin. Pumpkin spice is in full swing. Here in Bismarck, Papa's Pumpkin Patch is already halfway through its season and pumpkins are getting many makeovers in homes.

As I drive around the Bismarck area, it dawned on me that the spotlight shouldn't just be on the pumpkins. In the background of many porches and around the mailboxes are gourds! Though we focus on pumpkins this month, gourds also should be able to share the spotlight.

Gourds have been grown for thousands of years by many cultures throughout the world. They were used as utensils, toys, dishes and even ornaments. Today you see them added to fall décor as yard or porch decorations. The variety Birdhouse/Bottle is used to make birdhouses and another variety is used to make sponges, Luffa.

They belong to the same family as pumpkins and squash, the Cucurbit family. Gourds come in a variety of colors and shapes. Some common colors are yellow, orange, green, white, striped and even spotted. Common shapes are round, pear, apple, penguin and swan.

Gourds are easy to grow, just like pumpkins! Last year, I threw my spent gourds out in a pile in my corral. I let them be all summer and what a surprise it was to see that they have taken over half of the pen. It helped that Mother Nature provided ample rain throughout the growing season.

Direct seeding after the chance of frost has passed in the spring is the best method for growing gourds. Follow the label for spacing and depth of planting for the specific variety you are growing. Gourds require one inch of water per week, and gardeners should avoid overhead irrigation when watering. Make sure to weed as the crop grows; once established they will be competitive with the weeds, out-shading them. Consider trellising gourds for easy picking.

Gourds are ready to harvest when the skin has hardened and the stems have turned brown and dried. If harvested while the gourds are still immature, they tend to rot more easily. For storage, place the gourds in a cool place out of direct sunlight. This will keep the colors brighter. If growing a bottle gourd, they can be left outdoors overwinter to cure.

Fun varieties to try include Turk's Turban, Daisy Gourd, Gremlins, Autumn Wings and Birdhouse. One thing to note is that gourds will cross-pollinate, so if growing more than one variety you could get something different.

I'm not an artist, but I believe that gourds add a pop of color, texture and dimension to fall décor, and I think the spotlight needs to be on them as well throughout our fall season!